Equity analysts are expecting 3i's share price to be hit by figures from a University of Texas fund showing the UK listed company's investment returns lagging those of other European buy-out firms.

The University of Texas Investment Management Company (Utimco)'s figures show the university has received a return of 9% per year from 3i's UK Investment Partners fund, a £400m (€640m) mid-market buy-out fund raised in 1996.